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About IELTS

IELTS consists of six modules. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking modules. There
is a choice of Reading and Writing modules according to whether a candidate is taking the
Academic or General Training version of the test.

Listening

This is in four sections, each with 10 questions. The first two sections are concerned with social
needs. There is a conversation between two speakers and then a monologue. The final two sections
are concerned with situations related to educational or training contexts. There is a conversation
between up to four people and then a monologue.
A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence
completion, notes/chart/table completion, labelling a diagram, classification, matching.
Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are
allowed at the end to transfer answers to the answer sheet.

Academic Reading

There are three reading passages, of increasing difficulty, on topics of general interest and
candidates have to answer 40 questions. The passages are taken from magazines, journals, books
and newspapers. At least one text contains detailed logical argument.
A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence
completion, notes/chart/table completion, labelling a diagram, classification, matching lists/phrases,
choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer’s views/attitudes - yes, no,
not given, or true, false, not given.

General Training Reading

Candidates have to answer 40 questions. There are three sections of increasing difficulty, containing
texts taken from notices, advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books and
magazines. The first section contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English, with tasks
mainly concerned with providing factual information. The second section focuses on the training
context and involves texts of more complex language. The third section involves reading more
extended texts, with a more complex structure, but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive
rather than argumentative texts.
A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence
completion, notes/chart/table completion, labelling a diagram, classification, matching lists/phrases,
choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer’s views/attitudes - yes, no,
not given, or true, false, not given.

Academic Writing

There are two tasks and it is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which
requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2-250 words. The assessment of
Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.
In Task 1 candidates are asked to look at a diagram or table and to present the information in their
own words. They are assessed on their ability to organise, present and possibly compare data,
describe the stages of a process, describe an object or event, explain how something works.

In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed
on their ability to present a solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and
contrast evidence and opinions, evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments.
Candidates are also judged on their ability to write in an appropriate style.

General Training Writing

There are two tasks and it is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which
requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2-250 words. The assessment of
Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.
In Task 1 candidates are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter requesting information
or explaining a situation. They are assessed on their ability to engage in personal correspondence,
elicit and provide general factual information, express needs, wants, likes and dislikes, express
opinions, complaints, etc.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed
on their ability to provide general factual information, outline a problem and present a solution,
present and justify an opinion, evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments.
Candidates are also judged on their ability to write in an appropriate style.

Speaking

The Speaking module takes between 11 and 14 minutes. It consists of an oral interview between the
candidate and an examiner.